$1.5 MILLION PARTNERSHIP TO BETTER TACKLE DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE

12 Aug 2013

Minister for Women Pru Goward today announced a new partnership between Family and Community Services and TAFE NSW to provide education, training and professional development for frontline workers who deal with victims of domestic and family violence in NSW.

Domestic and family violence is the biggest cause of death and disability for women under the age of 40. NSW Police recorded some 30,000 domestic and family violence assaults in NSW between October 2011 and September 2012.

"We need to better train and equip our front-line workers to provide effective and timely services to victims and their families. This new training, the first of its kind in this sector, will do just that," Ms Goward said.

The Skills Development Strategy, undertaken in conjunction with TAFE – South Western Sydney Institute (SWSi) will offer workers new qualifications, as well as provide professional development to enhance the knowledge and skills of the domestic and family violence workforce to ensure the successful implementation of the ‘It Stops Here’ reforms.

"The strategy focuses on remote and regional workers, who are likely to have had restricted access to training in the past, and on services working with Aboriginal, migrant and refugee populations.

SWSi Institute Director, Mr Peter Roberts, said that together with Women NSW, TAFE SWSi will develop the skills of those working in crucial front-line roles within this important support sector, so that we can provide better outcomes for families and victims of domestic violence.

"We are proud to deliver training, which will provide essential professional development and enhance the knowledge and skills of the domestic and family violence workforce," Mr Roberts said.

The funding provided under the Domestic and Family Violence Skills Strategy is part of the NSW Government’s domestic and family violence reforms.